Top 7 FreshBooks Alternatives for Solopreneurs in 2026
FreshBooks has long been a popular accounting software for freelancers and small business owners, known for its user-friendly interface and excellent invoicing features. However, as your business grows and your needs evolve, you might find yourself looking for a FreshBooks alternative that offers more advanced features, better pricing, or a more comprehensive solution. In this article, we'll explore the top 7 FreshBooks alternatives for solopreneurs in 2026, comparing their pricing, features, ease of use, and best use cases.
How The Top FreshBooks Competitors Compare
| Product | Best For | Price Range | Ease of Use | Features | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Self-Employed | Freelancers & Gig Workers | $15-$35/mo | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Wave | Micro-businesses on a budget | Free | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Xero | Growing businesses | $15-$70/mo | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Zoho Books | Businesses using the Zoho ecosystem | $0-$275/mo | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| FreeAgent | UK-based freelancers & small businesses | $12/mo (first 6 months) | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Sage Business Cloud | Businesses needing strong compliance features | $10-$70/mo | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Hiveage | Service-based businesses needing robust invoicing | $0-$79/mo | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
1. QuickBooks Self-Employed
QuickBooks Self-Employed is Intuit's offering for freelancers, independent contractors, and gig workers. It's a simplified version of QuickBooks Online, designed to help you track your income and expenses, estimate quarterly taxes, and manage your finances in one place. For those who find the main QuickBooks platform overwhelming, the Self-Employed version is a great entry point. If you're looking for more advanced features, you might consider our Best Invoicing Software for Solopreneurs in 2026 guide for more options.
Pricing
QuickBooks Self-Employed offers three plans:
- Self-Employed: $15/month
- Self-Employed Tax Bundle: $25/month
- Self-Employed Live Tax Bundle: $35/month
Features
- Track income and expenses
- Capture and organize receipts
- Estimate quarterly taxes
- Send simple invoices
- Track mileage automatically
Who It's Best For
QuickBooks Self-Employed is the perfect choice for freelancers and independent contractors who need a simple way to manage their business finances and prepare for tax time. It's not suitable for businesses with employees or those that need to manage inventory.
2. Wave
Wave is a popular FreshBooks alternative for solopreneurs on a tight budget. It offers free accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning, making it an attractive option for new businesses and freelancers. While the core features are free, Wave charges for payment processing and payroll services. For those just starting out, a free tool like Wave can be a lifesaver, allowing you to manage your finances without adding to your monthly expenses. This can be especially helpful when you're also investing in other essential tools, like those mentioned in our guide to the Best CRM for Solopreneurs in 2026.
Pricing
Wave's core accounting and invoicing features are completely free. They charge for:
- Payment processing: 2.9% + $0.60 per transaction for most credit cards
- Payroll: $20 or $35/month base fee, plus $6 per employee or contractor
Features
- Unlimited invoicing
- Income and expense tracking
- Receipt scanning
- Double-entry accounting
- Multiple users
Who It's Best For
Wave is ideal for micro-businesses, freelancers, and solopreneurs who need a free and easy-to-use accounting solution. It's a great starting point for businesses that don't have complex needs.
3. Xero
Xero is a robust accounting software that's a great FreshBooks alternative for growing businesses. It offers a comprehensive set of features, including project tracking, inventory management, and multi-currency support. Xero is known for its user-friendly interface and strong mobile app, making it easy to manage your finances on the go. As your business scales, you might also consider more powerful marketing tools, such as those covered in our HubSpot Review 2026.
Pricing
Xero offers three plans:
- Early: $15/month
- Growing: $42/month
- Established: $78/month
Features
- Unlimited users on all plans
- Project tracking
- Inventory management
- Bank reconciliation
- Multi-currency support
Who It's Best For
Xero is a great choice for growing businesses that need a scalable accounting solution with advanced features. It's also a good option for businesses that work with an accountant, as it allows for easy collaboration.
4. Zoho Books
Zoho Books is a powerful accounting software that's part of the larger Zoho ecosystem. If you're already using other Zoho products, like Zoho CRM or Zoho Projects, then Zoho Books is a natural choice. It offers a comprehensive set of features, including project management, inventory management, and a client portal. For businesses that rely on email marketing, integrating your accounting with a platform like Beehiiv can streamline your workflow. Learn more in our Beehiiv Review 2026.
Pricing
Zoho Books offers a free plan for businesses with revenue under $50,000 per year. Paid plans include:
- Standard: $15/month
- Professional: $40/month
- Premium: $60/month
Features
- End-to-end accounting
- Project management and timesheets
- Inventory management
- Client portal
- Workflow automation
Who It's Best For
Zoho Books is the best choice for businesses that are already using other Zoho products. It's also a great option for businesses that need a comprehensive accounting solution with advanced features.
5. FreeAgent
FreeAgent is a UK-based accounting software that's designed specifically for freelancers and small businesses. It offers a user-friendly interface and a strong set of features, including project management, time tracking, and tax forecasting. While it's primarily designed for UK businesses, it does support multiple currencies. For solopreneurs working from home, having the right setup is crucial for productivity. Check out our guide to the Best Home Office Setup Under $500 for tips on creating an efficient workspace.
Pricing
FreeAgent offers a single plan for $12/month for the first 6 months, then $24/month.
Features
- Unlimited invoices and estimates
- Project management
- Time tracking
- Expense tracking
- Tax forecasting
Who It's Best For
FreeAgent is an excellent choice for UK-based freelancers and small businesses. Its focus on the UK market means it's well-suited to handle UK-specific tax and compliance requirements.
6. Sage Business Cloud Accounting
Sage Business Cloud Accounting is a powerful accounting software that's a good FreshBooks alternative for businesses that need strong compliance features. It offers a comprehensive set of features, including cash flow forecasting, inventory management, and multi-currency support. Sage is a well-established name in the accounting software industry, and its products are known for their reliability and robustness.
Pricing
Sage offers two plans:
- Sage Accounting Start: $10/month
- Sage Accounting: $25/month
Features
- Cash flow forecasting
- Inventory management
- Multi-currency support
- Audit trails
- Bank reconciliation
Who It's Best For
Sage Business Cloud Accounting is a great choice for businesses that need a reliable and compliant accounting solution. It's also a good option for businesses that are growing and need a scalable solution.
7. Hiveage
Hiveage is a great FreshBooks alternative for service-based businesses that need robust invoicing features. It offers a user-friendly interface and a strong set of features, including time and expense tracking, project-based billing, and online payment gateways. Hiveage also offers a free plan for businesses with up to 5 clients.
Pricing
Hiveage offers a free plan and three paid plans:
- Free: $0/month for up to 5 clients
- Basic: $19/month
- Pro: $29/month
- Plus: $49/month
Features
- Unlimited invoices and estimates
- Time and expense tracking
- Project-based billing
- Online payment gateways
- Recurring billing
Who It's Best For
Hiveage is an excellent choice for service-based businesses, freelancers, and consultants who need a powerful and flexible invoicing solution. The free plan makes it a great option for those just starting out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best FreshBooks alternative for a service-based business?
For service-based businesses, Hiveage is an excellent FreshBooks alternative. It offers robust invoicing features, time and expense tracking, and project-based billing, making it a great choice for businesses that bill by the hour or by the project.
Is there a free alternative to FreshBooks?
Yes, Wave is a completely free alternative to FreshBooks for accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning. It's a great option for new businesses and freelancers who are on a tight budget.
Which FreshBooks alternative is best for a growing business?
For growing businesses, Xero is the best FreshBooks alternative. It offers a scalable solution with advanced features like project tracking, inventory management, and multi-currency support.
What is the easiest FreshBooks alternative to use?
QuickBooks Self-Employed is one of the easiest FreshBooks alternatives to use, especially for freelancers and independent contractors. Its simplified interface makes it easy to track income and expenses and prepare for tax time.
Can I switch from FreshBooks to another accounting software?
Yes, most accounting software providers offer tools and support to help you migrate your data from FreshBooks. The process typically involves exporting your data from FreshBooks and importing it into your new accounting software.
